It was a spicy weekend of action for all those involved in the world’s premier motorsport series, from MotoGP in Spain to DTM at the legendary Nurburgring. But all eyes were to the East, to see if that Ferrari Singapore win was a fluke.
New Hampshire played host to the second round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, and there was more than just disappointment for a few drivers.
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Finally, we have a gander at some news that could affect motorsport as a whole, and not just a few series’ future.
So, without further ado, here are some of the moments you might have missed during this weekend’s motorsport madness.
1. Formula 1: Hamilton equals Senna’s win tally, makes Rosberg seem ordinary
This Championship looks more and more like Hamilton, especially considering that Rosberg would rather preserve his car than defend his position. Starting from pole, the German bogged down slightly at the start which gave Hamilton the jump. Into the first corner however, the two were neck and neck that is of course until Hamilton ran Rosberg out of room and down to fourth place.
Rosberg did finish second, with Vettel third and Raikkonen fourth, but the Championship seems all but sealed with five races remaining.
2. Formula 1: Alonso calls Honda’s power unit a “GP2 Engine”
In other news, Alonso blurted out his pent up emotions over the radio at Suzuka, calling the Honda F1 engine in the back of his McLaren a “GP2 engine.” Who can blame him?
Both he and Button have suggested that they will stay at the Woking team for at least another year.
3. Formula 1: Red Bull running out of engine options, Mateschitz to call quits
Niki Lauda has suggested that his fellow countryman and Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz has lost his love for Formula 1, with an exit from the sport looking increasingly likely. After failing in their bid to use Mercedes engines, the team is upset that Ferrari will only supply them with B-string engines in 2016, which leaves little to no hope of the team wrangling up a new deal in time for the Australian GP in 2016.
Volkswagen hopes have also been dashed it seems, thanks to the company’s run in with the law, and the new diesel emissions scandal, which is set to transform the world of diesel engined cars forever.
4. Formula 1: Renault to take over Lotus in 2016
In more positive news, it looks like Renault will be buying the broke Lotus team back, with the French automaker signing a letter of intent to take over the team in 2016. It’s great news for a team that was locked out of its motorhome at Suzuka, after a late bill wasn’t settled.
But if you’ve forgotten just how impressive Renault F1 cars can be, here’s a flash back to when Alonso was winning things with the French team.
5. MotoGP: Lorenzo wins Aragon GP, with Pedrosa in second
Two wheels now, and Jorge Lorenzo looks more and more like the Champion incumbent after romping away with the Aragon GP win. Pedrosa took a brilliant second, fighting with Championship leader Valentino Rossi practically from flag to flag. And Marc Marquez you ask? Well, he crashed. Again.
6. NASCAR Sprint Cup: Matt Kenseth wins at New Hampshire, Harvick runs out of luck (again)
The Chase for the Sprint Cup is leaving more and more drivers in the dust, and no more so Kevin Harvick. After crashing out of last week’s event, he led 216 of the 300 laps around the New Hampshire speedway, when he ran out of fuel. Matt Kenseth took full advantage though, joining Denny Hamlin as the two definites for the next round of the Chase.
The final round of the first knockout phase of the Chase takes place at Dover this weekend, and more drivers than ever will be needing that win.
7. DTM: Molina gets maiden win as Audi gets iffy with Mercedes
Miguel Molina has taken his first DTM win in a season that has seen more different winners than F1 has in the last four years. The Audi driver romped home by seven seconds in race two, with Paul di Resta taking a well deserved second.
But it wasn’t all fun and games on the track. After the event, Audi accused Mercedes of not adhering to the team order pact agreed upon between all participating manufacturers. Essentially, Mercedes allowing Pascal Wehrlein to pass two Mercedes cars ahead propelled him from eighth to fifth, and now holds a 37-point lead going into the final event.
Needless to say, Audi’s DTM head honcho Dieter Gass was annoyed, Autosport discovered:
We have seen gaps of eight seconds between two Mercedes cars which melted down in very few laps and all of a sudden they can go back to normal speed, so I doubt that this was a technical problem or tyre trouble. It was done on purpose. I don’t think the spectator wants to see that, I don’t think it’s very sporty.
